Effect of weed control strategies on the growth performance of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea l.) varieties in the Nigerian savanna

Abstract

A field trials was conducted in 2015 wet seasons at the Teaching and Research Farm of Samaru College of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (11° 11' N, 07° 38' E, and 686m above sea level) located in the northern Guinea Savanna ecological zone of Nigeria and Institute of Agricultural Research Station, Minjibir, Kano state (110 50’N, 08036’E and 458m above sea level) in the Sudan savannah ecological zone of Nigeria respectively. The treatment was factorially combined and laid down in a split plot design with three groundnut varieties SAMNUT24, SAMNUT23 and KAMPALA occupying the main plot and five level of weed control that is weedy check, black polythene mulching, white polythene mulching, pre-emergence herbicide only (Pendimenthalin at 1.5 kg a.i. ha^-1) and manual weeding at 3 and 6 WAS allocated to the subplot and replicated thrice. The results indicated that Plot grown to SAMNUT23 and SAMNUT24 significantly produced the highest hill count with early flowering than to KAMPALA at both locations. SAMNUT24 were generally taller than SAMNUT23 and KAMPALA at 9 WAS. The use of black polythene mulch or hoe weeding twice at 3 and 6 WAS resulted to taller plants at 9 WAS as well as had the earlier in days to 50% flowering than the weedy check. Plots with black and white polythene mulch, pendimenthalin at 1.5 a.i. kg ha^-1 and hoe weeded at 3 and 6 WAS respectively, significantly led to production of more fresh and dry biomass, at 70 days and better haulm weight at harvest than plot grown to weedy check. Based on the results, it can be concluded that SAMNUT24 groundnut variety outperformed SAMUNT23 and KAMPALA with respect to growth characters. While, the use of black polythene mulch or hoe weeded at 3 and 6 WAS controls weed more effectively and resulted in better growth of groundnut in both locations